Inspection Detail

Inspection: 301774436 - Mckechnie Vehicle Components

Inspection Information - Office: Sc Department Of Labor, Licensing, And Regulation

Investigation Summary

Employee #1, a press set-up operator at a wheel cover manufacturing facility, was making test runs of wheel cover parts on an Aida 200-ton part-revolution mechanical power press. He activated the two-hand trip, punched the first part, and was reaching into the point of operation when the ram topped out and then continued its downward motion. The die caught Employee #1's left middle finger, amputating the tip. After the clutch/flywheel was dismantled, it was found that one of the three bolts holding the flywheel shaft end plate in place had worked its way out. Apparently, the bolt had become jammed between the piston ribs and the friction plate, creating a mechanical connection between the flywheel and clutch shaft that resulted in excessive stroking. A wire connecting the three bolts had also been sheared.

Keywords: AMPUTATED, POWER PRESS, UNSECURED, FINGER, POINT OF OPERATION, BOLT, PRESS OPERATOR, PUNCH PRESS, MECH MALFUNCTION, RAM